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DATE: January 6, 2004
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT: Funds for New Libraries in Alpine and Ramona and Refurbishing Fields in Ramona

SUMMARY:
Today's action will secure the local funding necessary to allow the Alpine and Ramona Libraries to submit Library Bond Act grant applications later this month. If successful, these two communities would receive 65% of the cost to build new libraries in their growing communities from the State of California. Today's action will also allocate funding to Ramona Pony Baseball to upgrade the infield of one baseball field, as well as reconstruct stronger, safer bleachers on several fields at Wellfield Park.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Vice-Chairwoman Dianne Jacob:

  1. Transfer appropriations of $219,000 from the District Two Community Projects budget (Org. 0262) to Contributions to Capital Outlay Fund (Operating Transfers Out) for the eventual construction of a new Alpine Library.
  2. Establish appropriations in the amount of $219,000 in the Library Capital Outlay Fund for Capital Project KL2983, Alpine Library Construction, based on an Operating Transfer from the General Fund (4 VOTES).
  3. Transfer appropriations of $431,036 from the District Two Community Projects budget (Org. 0262) to Contributions to Capital Outlay Fund (Operating Transfers Out) for the eventual construction of a new Ramona Library.
  4. Establish appropriations in the amount of $431,036 in the Library Capital Outlay Fund for Capital Project KL2987, Ramona Library Construction, based on an Operating Transfer from the General Fund (4 VOTES).
  5. Allocate $71,717 to Ramona Pony Baseball to demolish and replace 10 wooden bleachers with safe, steel seats and rails, and to renovate the infield of the 13 and 14 year-old baseball field at Wellfield Park.
  6. Find that the allocations for the Ramona Pony Baseball project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15301.
  7. Authorize the Chief Financial Officer to execute a grant agreement with the organization in item 5 listed above, establishing terms for receipt of the funds described above.
  8. Find that all grant awards described above have a public purpose.

FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact associated with this action is $721,753. The funding source is District Two Community Projects funds for fiscal year 2003-04. This action will result in the addition of no staff years and no future costs.

BACKGROUND:
For several years, the communities of Alpine and Ramona have needed new library facilities that can accommodate their growing populations as well as advances in technology. Both communities' libraries are too small and technologically inadequate to serve their needs.

Since the passage of the State Library Bond Act of 2000, Alpine and Ramona residents have worked tirelessly, planning, designing, and fundraising with the hope of funding new libraries in each of their communities. The Library Bond Act provides grants for 65% of the entire project cost to build new libraries throughout California, provided that the community can raise the remaining 35%. As the residents of Alpine and Ramona have worked hard to raise their local 35% match, today's action will allocate $219,000 to complete the local fundraising match required for Alpine, and $431,036 to complete the local match required for Ramona.

Completion of the local match will allow the submittal of grant applications for these two library projects. If the grant applications are approved, the appropriate findings for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) will be made when the projects are proposed to the Board of Supervisors for approval.

Today's action will also allocate $71,717 to Ramona Pony Baseball to refurbish one of the baseball fields needing repair at Wellfield Park in Ramona. It will also replace ten old wooden bleachers with new steel seats and rails. Ramona Pony Baseball has always done a tremendous job of stretching their dollars to turn run-down baseball facilities into beautiful, safe fields, snack bars and stands. This project will certainly go a long way for the youth and adults who enjoy the park as athletes or spectators.

The best investment we can make is in our children, and these three projects will certainly provide meaningful opportunities for children and adults in the communities of Alpine and Ramona.

I urge your support.

Respectfully submitted,

DIANNE JACOB
Vice-Chairwoman, Second District